Andre Delano

Andre Delano has demonstrated his amazing ability to woo a crowd with his saxophone time and time again. His live performances are energetic and dynamic with an incredible sensual undertone that is quite surreal. It is no wonder why his upcoming project "My So Fine," is a collection of 14 original songs with a mix of vocals and instrumentals that will turn an evening with a slight romantic spark into a night of hot passionate fire. The CD starts with the hot Latin flavored "Sista Caliente." Andre teams with Arranger-Producer Sir Gant (Anita Baker, Peabo Bryson, Madonna) on the reggae induced "Once My Love." Delano showcases his beautiful vocal skills on the title track "My So Fine" as well as "The Da Da Song," which is very reminiscent of Motown's Jr. Walker and the All Stars. "That Much (I Love U)" also has an old school feel that puts you in the mind of Al Green and Ronald Isley. The song that Andre calls a "lyrical vow", "I Do," is certain to become the next timeless wedding song. We walk down memory lane with Andre to his college days with the aptly titled "College Sweetheart" and "JSU Jam" that gives off the marching band feel of being back at a college football half-time show. We are graced by the presence of smooth jazz keyboardist Kevin Toney on the heartfelt "Soultie," and trumpeter Greg Adams is the featured performer on the wedding ceremonial, "First Dance." Andre continues his sexy saxophone prowess on the romantic ballads, "More Than Words Can Say," which reminds you of a sax-seducing Prince song and "Get To You," a cross-breed of Earth Wind and Fires’ "That's the Way of the World" and Rose Royce's "I Want To Get Next To You." Andre ends the CD with an upbeat "Home Sweet Home" and a self-induced cover song with an instrumental version of "The Da Da Song." Andre began playing the saxophone when he was 8 and by the time he was 18 he had more credentials on his resume' than your average touring musician. He received his training at East St. Louis, Illinois' prestigious Lincoln High School, the alma mater of legendary jazz trumpeter Miles Davis, and had performed with numerous famed musicians such as: Wynton Marsalis, Clark Terry, and Bunky Green, among others. "Our jazz program was really incredible," Andre says about their regimen that required practicing one hour before school and five hours after school everyday. "We won every competition, including Down Beat magazine's national competition. In my three years at Lincoln, we never lost. We were number one at everything." That experience prepared Andre for his career as a noted saxophonist who would go on to record and travel with the likes of Stevie Wonder, Maxwell, Bobby Womack, Jeff Lorber, Chieli Minucci, Doc Powell, and Bobby Lyle. Andre's solo career began with the 2005 release of "Full Circle," that catapulted him into an instant favorite amongst smooth jazz fans everywhere. The album was a mainstay on the Smoothjazz.com charts with the singles "Night Riders" that was remixed by the Grammy® Nominated Producer, Jeff Lorber and "Foot Steps" that featured Earth, Wind and Fires' original guitarist Al McKay. The first track "Funkborne" was licensed through the Global Hue Agency and featured in a national Diamler Chrysler Jeep Commercial. The critics raved: Music Connection Magazine wrote, "Full Circle is rhythmically explosive and mega-soulful...a cool mix with a romantic chill..." The Los Angeles Times said, “Delano plays with a flair and inventiveness…. He is clearly ready for his own solo career.” Andre followed in 2006 with a Christmas release entitled "First Christmas" that features one original song and nine Christmas cover songs including "Jingle Bells," "O Come all Ye Faithful" and "Jolly Old Saint Nicholas" which charted on Smoothjazz.com for two consecutive years since the release. The title track "First Christmas" is a vocal song that Andre wrote and sings for his baby daughter. Delano has opened for, Boney James, Norman Brown, Peabo Bryson, Peter White, Rick Braun, Kenny G, Mindi Abair and many others. Each opening performance has resulted in Andre selling the most CDs of the night. Andre's sensual and energetic performances have left his audiences in awe. He is approaching the saxophone with a whole new vigor. "My So Fine" is the perfect next step in his musical evolution. Delano adds, "A lot of people say that the saxophone is a very sexy instrument. “My So Fine" is an album that is all about love's sexiness. My challenge on this one was to see just how sexy the saxophone could be." Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.